The We Do It Intentionally Paradox: 10 reasons why we may not want to get better – REFUTED

Bill WhiteJune 11, 2010

In an article yesterday I introduced The We Do It Intentionally Paradox. Yep, I stuck my neck out and suggested we may, in part or in whole, intentionally (consciously or unconsciously) perpetuate our emotional and mental misery. And I gave 10 reasons why we may be shooting ourselves in the foot.

Well, I’ve always believed in the power of equal time – after all it’s good enough for the President’s Saturday morning radio address to the nation – so let’s give it a go…

10 Reasons Why We May Not Want To Get Better – Refuted…

Feeling like crap is better than not feeling at all. If you ask me, feeling like crap is not feeling at all.

As nasty as it is, being sick is at least familiar and comfortable. Being naked is familiar and comfortable – and I’m guessing you’re wearing clothes right now.

Staying sick keeps us from having to venture out in the world. Okay – hammer 2×4’s on your windows and doors, get well, and tear ’em off.

Relying upon ourselves puts an end to relying upon others. Good. Get well – I’m sure they’ll appreciate it.

Staying sick makes for a tremendous ongoing butt-kicking mechanism. Get well and call the first gang-banger you see an S.O.B.

Getting well takes too much time and effort. So does seeing a shrink and waiting in the unemployment line.

Being sick is simply our lot in life, so why tempt fate? Because “fate” is often a shrewd rationalization.

If we get better we won’t have that pathological connection with that special person from our past. They’re probably dead or don’t care to connect with us anyway.

If we don’t have our pathology to focus upon, we’ll be relegated to thinking and feeling about shtuff we’d just as soon forget. Precisely why we have pathology.

Your ideas…

Okay, so I wrote with an edge and took a bit of comedic license – but we all need a good laugh anyway. Still, the point remains; we need to do all we can to get over ourselves. Again, I know how absolutely brutal mood and anxiety disorders can be – and I know intention isn’t always involved (remember, I said “in part or in whole”).

Nonetheless, it’s better to err on the side of caution and at least entertain the possibility that we’re very much our own worst enemy. How’s that?